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WASHINGTON -- Unemployment rates rose in more than half of U.S. states last month, the latest evidence that hiring remains tepid across the country.

The Labor Department said Friday that rates increased in 26 states. They fell in 12 states and were unchanged in the other 12.

Unemployment also rose in seven of the 11 key swing states in this year's presidential election.

Nationwide, employers added only 96,000 jobs in August, below July's gain of 141,000 and the average of 226,000 jobs a month added in the January-March quarter.

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent last month from 8.3 percent in July. But that was only because many people gave up looking for work. The government only counts people as unemployed if they are actively searching for jobs.

Unemployment increased in several competitive states in this year's presidential race.

The rate in Michigan rose to 9.4 percent from 9 percent. The rate ticked up a tenth of a point to 12.1 percent in Nevada, which has the highest unemployment in the nation. GOP nominee Mitt Romney campaigned in Nevada on Friday.

Unemployment rates also rose in five other battleground states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa.

Still, unemployment was flat in three closely contested states that are rich in electoral votes: Florida, Virginia and Ohio.

The rate in Florida held steady at 8.8 percent. Florida also recorded the second-highest job gain in the nation last month, adding 23,200 jobs.

Ohio's rate stayed at 7.2 percent, and unemployment in Virginia was unchanged at 5.9 percent. Both rates also stayed well below the national average, as did the rates in Iowa (5.5 percent), New Hampshire (5.7 percent) and Wisconsin (7.5 percent).

Colorado was the only swing state to see a decline in unemployment in August. The rate fell to 8.2 percent from 8.3 percent in July.

Recent polls have shown President Barack Obama with a big lead in Pennsylvania, and also ahead of Romney in Virginia and Iowa.

That makes Florida and Ohio critical to Romney's chances of winning the election. Romney is launching a three-day Ohio bus tour Monday and will campaign in Colorado on Sunday.

Obama was scheduled to campaign in Virginia on Friday.

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AP Writer Steven R. Hurst contributed to this report.

The once-dominant toy retailer is opening many new stores, while "re-opening" other stores in an effort to improve its brand.

AT&T has committed to a $350 million program, called "Aspire," which includes a job-shadowing program aimed at bringing students into the workforce. Although traditional landline service is dying, new talent is needed to fulfill wireless needs.

Employee Review: "They provide great benefits and pay. I know they match quite a bit for 401(k) investment. It is a great job for someone interested in technology and learning about new technologies. Also, it is great to know that you are helping others out on a daily basis."*

UnitedHealth Group currently provides health insurance services to more than 75 million people worldwide. It recently joined the 100,000 Jobs Mission, a coalition of companies dedicated to hiring 100,000 veterans by 2020.

Employee Review: "I really enjoyed my time at UnitedHealth Group. The trainers were very knowledgeable and were always there to answer any questions that I had. I worked as a claims associate for just a few short months before being promoted to another department. I then went on to work from home! Only left this company because of personal issues not related to my job. Great place to work!"*

Operating more than 3,000 stores in the United States, Rent-A-Center recently opened stores in Rochester, N.Y., and Rocky Mount, Va.

Employee Review: "Always something new every day, never a dull moment. Small stores, opportunities to develop strong relationships with customers. Virtually no scripts to follow, no "dumbing-down"... employees are encouraged and empowered to answer challenges and solve problems"*

The venerable retail company is planning to revamp product lines in an effort to better connect with customers in 2012.

Employee Review: "My favorite thing about working with Sears is the stability. The company has been around for over 100 years and is one of the largest in the world. It has great benefits and work-life balance is excellent. I don't have to worry about being on-call on nights and weekends. They have really great quality people who are easy to get along with."*

The company agreed to a partnership with the Obama administration in which it pledged to provide part-time summer jobs to young people. The federal program will provide approximately 180,000 paid jobs and Wells Fargo has committed to approximately 1,000 of them.

Employee Review: "Large company with a lot of training; encouraged to change positions/departments within bank to grow and learn; good senior management and diversity commitment."*

The company has announced the addition of 1,800 new jobs in Belvidere, Ill. These jobs will support the production of the new Dodge Dart compact car, and augment the approximately 2,700 current jobs at the Illinois plant.

Employee Review: "The company is extremely adaptable and resilient after its financial distress in recent years, and the company is very hopeful for the future. The need for young and creative people is overwhelming -- those without automotive background may be better positioned than they think!"*

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exliberal1776@yahoo.com

Yeah Barack ! Great Job Mr. Prez ! Maybe the problem is you haven't gone on "Letterman" or "The View" enough. Or perhaps a few more rounds of golf, or shooting more hoops ! Wait I got it ! It's Bush's fault !

When you have enough people living off the goverment, you get Obama. He smiles, tells them Obama bucks are coming and they vote for him. It is easy to not have to work when the goverment pays you benefits.

I had some things to donate Friday so drove through a low income district I normally have no reason to frequent and have not been through in several years, but it used to be fairly prosperous with Mom and Pop shops and restaurants. At least half the businesses are closed and boarded up. Not even For Lease or For Sale signs. Just given up and closed up shop. Adults milling around all over the place, just hanging out at a time they should be at work. Junk cars or people on junky bikes & mopeds. Did I see Obama signs? Ohhh yeahhh, plenty of those things. Are they fools or just slow learners? Obama has been all over my battleground state (NC) but he has NOT addressed these faithful who he knows will vote for him even if he craps on their dinner table. Sad. Reminds me of sad ol' houndogs that are neglected but are faithful to some uncaring jerk who at one time patted their heads when they were cute puppies.

If Obama is re-elected, we plan to start closing some of our stores. I'm sure we aren't the only ones. Socialism promises equal distribution for all but delivers equal poverty for all but the ruling elite.